Chinese folk art are artistic forms inherited from a regional or ethnic scene in China. Usually there are some variation between provinces. Individual folk arts have a long history, and many traditions are still practiced today. The general definition of folk art incorporates Chinese art forms that are not classified as fine arts.
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The first two forms of paper art began in the Han Dynasty with Chinese Paper Cutting and Chinese Paper Folding. These arts have expanded globally.
China is the birthplace of the kite and Weifang is one of the chief places where Chinese kites originated. Kite-flying became prevalent in Weifang in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and by the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)kite-flying had become even more popular, and there had appeared fairs on kites on a rather large scale. Kites were sold not only across Shandong, but also to Jiangsu, Fujian, Anhui and other places. The noted English scholar Joseph Needham listed kites in his book History of Science and Technology in China as one of the important contributions in science and technology that Chinese introduced to Europe.
One of the oldest forms of folk art is puppetry. Puppeteers use various kinds of puppets, including marionettes, glove puppets, rod puppets, cloth puppets and wire puppets in performances incorporating folk songs and dances over some dialogues. The subject matter is derived mainly from children's stories and fables.
Chinese Shadow theatre is a form of puppetry that is performed by moving figures made of animal skins or cardboard held behind a screen lit by lamplight. The subject matter and singing style in shadow plays are closely related to Chinese opera, except without using live actors or actresses.
Chinese knot is a decorative handicraft art that creates knot patterns. It is one of the more traditional art forms almost completely lost in the transition from Imperial to modern China.